Sign



April 24, 1934.

H. c. WATSON SIGN Filed July 26 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 April 24, 1934. H. c. WATSON SIGN Filed July 26, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 gwue rv Howard ('hesfer M/afsofl /4 8 m C @54 g April 24, 1934. H, c. WATSON SIGN Filed July 26 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Elwyn MW Patented Apr. 24, 1934 NED STATES PATENT GFFICE 8 Claims.

My invention is a sign consisting of a framed plate preferably made of enameled metal and provided with a mounting by which the sign may be supported upon a standard or base or may be suspended from a hanger.

My improvements are designed primarily to provide improved means engaging the frame or rim of the sign to secure the ends thereof together and to support the sign.

In the preferred embodiment of my invention, the sign plate is seated in a groove or channel formed by a pair of beads on the inner face of a rail-like band or rim and adjacent to the median line thereof, the rim having flanges projecting laterally from the beads and transversely to the face of the sign. The ends of the rim are connected or the sign is supported by a holder having jaws fixed relatively to one another and each extending partly around a flange of the rim. The jaws and the rim are pressed into close frictional engagement with one another by a stud or driver consisting of a rotatable member movable in the holder toward the edge of the plate, the driver preferably consisting of a threaded shaft or shank through which the rim may be connected with a supporting base or hanger.

The rim may be provided with beads along the edges thereof forming channels parallel with the rim seat for the plate, and when the rim is so formed the jaws preferably have flanges seated in said channels; the holder then forming a species of yoke having hook-like arms which are drawn against the edge beads of the rim by the thrust resulting from the rotation of the driver.

To supplement the frictional grip of the jaws on the rim and prevent separation of the ends thereof, there may be provided a follower or shim having lugs engaged in recesses of the rim and held in interlocking engagement therewith by the driver.

The characteristic features and advantages of my improvements will further appear from the following description and the accompanying drawings in illustration thereof.

In the drawings, Fig. l is a front elevation of a sign supported on a base and embodying my improvements; Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the ends of the sign frame shown in Fig. l and of the top of the holder connected therewith; Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of the up per part of the standard, holder, frame and plate of the sign shown in Fig. 1 taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line l--l of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on the'line 5-5 of Fig. 4 with the follower or shim spaced from the rim; Fig. 6 is an elevation of a second form of sign embodying my improvements; Fig. '7 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the holder and its connected parts shown in Fig. 6; Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view on the line 88 of Fig. 7; Fig. 9 is an elevation of a third form of sign embodying my improvements; Fig. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the hanger and holder and connected parts of the sign shown in Fig. 9; the cross section of the rim being slightly different from the rim of Figs. 1 to 8, but the several forms of rim being interchangeable; Fig. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary view, part sectional, of the rim shown in Fig. 9 and connector for the ends thereof; Fig. 12 is a transverse sectional view on the line 12-12 of Fig. 11; Fig. 13 is a transverse sectional view of the modified form of rim and holder for a swinging sign; and Fig. 14 is a side elevation of the rim and holder shown in Fig. 13.

In the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5 of the drawings, a sign plate 1, suitably made of sheet metal with an enameled surface, is framed by a rim 2 consisting of a rail or band having beads 3 on the inner face thereof and spaced to form a shallow channel or seat t for the edge of the sign plate 1. Flanges 5 project laterally from the heads 3, and may terminate in edge beads 6 so as to form channels 7 between the beads 3 and beads 6.

The ends of the rim 2 are fixed relatively to one another to hold the rim in close fitting engagement with the edge of the sign plate by clamping means comprising jaws 8 having lips 9 adapted to be seated in the channels 7. The jaws are fixed relatively to one another by a connecting bridge 10 and by their connection, through the cheek. plates 11, with the base or collar 12. An 'nternally threaded tubular distance piece or thimhle l3, projecting from the collar 12 between the plates 11, forms a socket for the reception of the externally threaded end of the hollow shaft 14, which may form a stanchion for the sign and have its opposite end seated in a support or base plate 15.

A shim or follower 16 has a helveor lug 17 seated in the end of the hollow shaft 14 and pressed by the rotation thereof against the outer surface 2 0f the rim 2. Preferably the shim or follower 16 is provided with studs or bosses 17' which fit into the recesses 18 formed in the rim 2. A set screw 19 is threaded in the collar 13 and movable into engagement with the periphery of ie shaft 14 to prevent the rotation of such shaft.

The sign may be packed and shipped in knocked-down condition and, on arrival at destination, readily assembled by springing open the ends of the previously curved rim 1 to permit their insertion between the jaws 8 and the retracted follower l6 and to also permit the insertion of the edge of the plate 1 in the groove or seat 4, with peripheral notch l of the plate in registration with the bridge 10. By turning the collar 12 and shaft 14 relatively to one another, the follower 16 is moved toward the edge of the sign plate so that the lugs 17 enter the recess 18 to aid in preventing the spreading of the ends of the rim. The rim sections between the follower 16 and jaws 8 are tightly clamped between them so as to maintain the rim and the sign plate in desired posi tion. When the follower 16 has tightly clamped the rim against the jaws 8, the set screw 19 may be tightened up to prevent the inadvertent unscrewing of the shaft.

As illustrated in Figs. 6, '7 and 8, a rectangular sign plate 1a has its edge seated in the channel or seat 411 formed by the beads 3a on the inner face of the rim or rail 2a. Flanges 50. project laterally from the beads 3a and terminate in edge beads 6a forming, with the beads 3a, channels 7a. Ends of the rim 20; may be fixed relatively to one another, at a corner or corners of the sign, to hold the rim in close fitting engagement with the edge of the sign plate, by clamping means comprising a corner bracket having a pair of jaws 8a disposed parallel to one another and provided with lips 9a which are seated in the channels M.

An internally threaded boss 13a, projecting from the base 12a of the jaws 8a, forms a socket for the reception of the externally threaded end of a shaft or bolt 14a forming a suspender having its opposite threaded end seated into a pivoted support 15a depending from the bracket 20. An internally threaded boss 13a, on the base of the jaws 8a, forms a socket for the reception of the stud or shaft 14a, having a slotted head.

This form of sign may be packed and shipped in knocked-down condition and readily assembled by the insertion of the end of a frame section between the relatively fixed jaws 8a and the insertion of the end of a frame section between relatively fixed jaws 8d until the ends of the frame members are substantially abutted. By turning the shafts 14a and 14a until they bear tightly against the base 12a of the jaws, the jaws are drawn into tight engagement with the face of the rim.

Figs. 9, 10, 11 and 12 show the application of my invention. to a suspended circular sign comprising a sign plate 1b having its edge seated in a channel or seat 4b formed by the beads 3b on the inner face of the rim or rail 21). Flanges 5b project laterally from the beads 30 and have tapering faces forming bearing surfaces for the similarly inclined faces of relatively fixed jaws 8%). A pair of internally threaded studs or bosses 135 project from the base connecting the jaws 8b and form sockets for the reception of externally threaded studs or stub shafts 1422 having slotted heads. The ends of the rim 21) may be inserted between the jaws 8b; the rim drawn up so that the sign plate lb is firmly seated therein, and the ends of the rim then secured in desired position by tightening up the studs 142) against the base of the jaws 8b. This causes the jaws to firmly clamp the inclined faces of the rim and hold the ends in the positions to which they are adjusted.

This sign may be suspended from a shaft 14b by threading the end of such shaft into a threaded socket 132) forming a base for arcuate jaws 81) having the curvature of the rim 2b and which may be slipped along the rim 2?) and fixed in desired position by screwing the end of the shaft 141) against the back or base of the rim 22), thereby clamping the rim between the end of the shaft 14b and the jaws 81).

As illustrated in Figs. 13 and 14 my invention is applicable to the suspension of a sign of the general type shown in Fig. 6 from an intermediate portion of the frame, which frame is illustrated as of the type shown in Figs. 9 to 12 inclusive. As illustrated in Figs. 13 and 14, the sign plate 10 is seated in the channel 40 formed by the beads 3c of the rim 2c. Jaws 8c partly surround the rim and are fixed relatively to one another by their connections with a base 120 containing an internally threaded bore forming a socket for the threaded end of the shaft 140. When this shaft is drawn up against the back of the rim 2c, the jaws 8c are drawn tightly against the face of the rim to either hold the ends of the rim together or to permit the suspension of the sign from a hanger or both.

Having described my invention, I claim- 1. A framed sign comprising a plate, a rim around the edge of said plate, a holder for said rim comprising jaws partly enclosing said rim, and a rotatable member movable toward the edge of said plate and clamping said rim against said jaws.

2. A framed sign comprising a plate, a rim around the edge of said plate, and a holder for said rim and comprising jaws and means movable against said rim and including a rotatable shank for applying pressure thereto and securing said rim against said jaws.

3. A framed sign comprising a plate, a rim around the edge of said plate and a holder for said rim comprising integrally connected jaws overlapping the edges of said rim, and a member movable in said holder toward said rim and pressing said rim against the jaws.

l. A framed sign comprising a plate, a rim around the edge of said plate, a holder for said rim, and a support comprising a pressure element and a threaded member for moving said element toward the edge of said plate and pressing said rim against the holder.

5. A framed sign comprising a plate, a rim around said plate, a holder comprising jaws embracing said rim, a rotatable member movable in said holder toward the edge of said rim and pressing the rim against said jaws, and a fol" lower between said rotatable member and rim.

6. A framed sign comprising a sign plate, a rim around said sign plate, jaws embracing said rim, a device interlocked with said rim and a rotatable member movable toward the edge of said rim and applying pressure to said device to clamp said rim against the jaws.

7. A framed sign comprising a sign plate, a rim around said sign plate and having beads thereon forming a seat for said sign plate, and beads adjacent to the edges thereof forming channels with said beads first named, jaws having flanges engaged in said channels and means for clamping said rim against said jaws.

8. A framed sign comprising a sign plate and a frame therefor containing a seat for said plate and having flanges projecting laterally from said plate, and supporting means comprising jaws engaging said flanges and a rotatable member movable toward the edge of said plate from the face of said rim opposite said edge for clamping said flanges against said jaws.

H. CHESTER WATSON. 

